A progressive political action committee (PAC) and a left-wing group withdrew their support for Mondaire Jones on Wednesday. This happened after the former New York representative supported Rep. Jamaal Bowman’s opponent in the Democratic primary because Bowman has anti-Israel views.
Jones’ campaign announced on Thursday that the Congressional Progressive Caucus PAC withdrew its support because Jones endorsed George Latimer, the Westchester County Executive, over Bowman in New York’s 16th District. Jones’ campaign said he made the endorsement to support his Jewish constituents.
“I have no regrets about standing up for what I firmly believe in,” Jones said. He explained that he and Bowman have very different views on Israel. Jones was upset by Bowman accepting an endorsement from the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), denying the sexual assault of Israeli women by Hamas on October 7, and calling for a cease-fire before Israel could defend itself.
The progressive PAC said there were many reasons for their decision, but it was a unanimous choice by their board. The Working Families Party also withdrew their support for Jones on Thursday, saying he had strayed from the values that made them proud to support him in 2020.
They criticized Jones for supporting Latimer, who they said uses racist language, rejects parts of President Biden’s economic agenda, and shares donors with Jones’ MAGA opponent. However, Jones will remain on the party’s ballot line because candidates can only be removed for certain reasons like losing a primary or committing a felony.
House Progressive Caucus chairwoman Pramila Jayapal said Jones’ endorsement of Latimer was “horrific” and expressed her disgust.
Despite this, Jones said he will continue to champion policies such as lowering costs for working families, restoring women’s reproductive freedom, protecting Social Security and Medicare, implementing climate action, banning assault weapons, and fighting for universal health care.
Jones will run unopposed in the June 25 primary and will face a rematch against freshman Republican Rep. Mike Lawler in the November election for Hudson Valley’s 17th district.
Jones previously faced criticism from Liz Whitmer Gereghty, the sister of Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, for mocking Lawler and former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy for wearing yarmulkes during a meal with Jewish leaders.
Jones and Bowman also received donations from members of the Westchester People’s Action Coalition (WESPAC), which funded anti-Israel events on college campuses.
Jones received over $35,000 in donations from billionaires George and Alex Soros since 2022, who also funded these events.
Jones’ campaign committee has more than $3 million in cash, similar to Lawler’s campaign committee. Jones was elected to the US House of Representatives in 2020 and served one term after working as a litigator in the Westchester County Attorney’s Office.
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